Let’s face it: holiday shopping season is upon us. Of course, this word nerd recommends giving books as gifts, but there are so many to choose from! Together, I think we can collect some great ideas.
My Favorite Things Giveaway
I’d like to compile a list of Favorite Books from 2013. I’m hoping all of us can use this list for gift ideas or our own pleasure reading during the cold months ahead. All readers leaving a reply will enter into a drawing to win one of my favorite books of 2013.
The details:
- You may enter by commenting on my blog, my Facebook profile, or my Twitter feed between December 6 and December 19, 2013.
- Your comment must include your favorite book from 2013 and a short explanation of why you recommend it.
- Available anywhere Amazon ships.
- I will announce the winner on December 20, 2013.
- The winner will choose his or her prize from my favorite reads of 2013; click on the titles to read my reviews.
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
- Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
- The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
If you don’t want any of these, I’ll send you a B&N gift card so you can choose your own.
Thanks so much for helping me out. Be sure to spread the word so we can build a big list!
Julia
Opps. I posted this on another spot on the blog. Sycamore Row was my favorite recent read. Enjoyed it!
No worries! You’re in the giveaway!
What a fun give-away b/c I LOVE books! My favorite read? Oh, it’s so hard to decide. I’d have to say it was either Wonder or The Fault in Our Stars. I find this interesting as I rarely read MG or YA! I’m dying (sorry for the hyperbole 🙂 The Language of Flowers. Merry Christmas and thanks for the compilation!
Ah, you picked two wonderful books! You don’t read MG? Aren’t you writing MG? BTW, not that this is a good time of year to ask (I’m guessing, like me, you don’t have much writing time these days), but how is the WIP coming along? Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
Oooh–and favorite craft book was Writing down the bones by Natalie Goldberg!
Favorite book I read this year that was published in 2013: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black.
Favorite book I read this year that is older but I’d just never read: The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
🙂
Erin, these all sound great. I need to read The House on Mango Street– thanks for reminding me! And I’m looking for another craft book, so thanks for the suggestion!
The one that stands out most in my mind at the moment is “Story Engineering” by Larry Brooks. Although I’ve read quite a few books on the craft of writing, this one made everything about craft and planning out a book come together to make sense in my mind.
I haven’t heard of this one yet Linda! Sounds great! Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks Linda! Maybe I should check this one out before I start my next project…
My favorite book this year was The Book Thief. I think that I was slow in finding out about this book – it was probably on most people’s list last year – but a friend recommended it and I read it. I thought that the story was so engrossing. When you hear about the book, the concept of Death being the narrator (not a spoiler alert) sounds like a turn off because we are accustomed to think of Death as being a malevolent being. This is not the case in the book. The story moves along well and does keep you wondering and caring what will happen next.
I also enjoyed Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg. I find that reading Elizabeth Berg books like sitting down with a friend to hear her story. The characters are usually a bit quirky but not in such a way that you think they don’t exist. Also, who doesn’t want to believe that there can be love that lasts through time?
Thanks Carol! I’m restarting The Book Thief- the whole thing about death threw me off too! I got about half way through and gave up- I was post-partum at the time, and easily depressed. Thanks for the great suggestions and thoughtful comments.
My favorite book this year was THE HOUSE GIRL by Tara Conklin. I have become a big fan of dual time-period novels, and this one – set in 1850s Virginia and present-day New York – did not disappoint. The writing is lyrical, and the characters of Josephine and Lina so memorable.
Great Melissa! Thanks. This sounds like a good read.
I’ve been looking back on my Goodreads ratings to refresh my memory. I actually have three books, and they’re all so different in theme/style: 1) The Cuckoo’s Calling (mystery)–a brilliant whodunit by JK Rowling
2) The Partner Track (multicultural)–Asian-American female lawyer must fight big law firm & its prejudices
3) Antonia Lively Breaks the Silence (literary)–widow of a writer tries to go on with life and befriends a lovely young woman, leading to heartbreaking consequences
Oops, I guess I should say why I liked them…
1) Great characterization of the down-and-out detective, and it’s an interesting look into the fashion industry
2) A strong female protagonist that really gives an inside look into large law firms and the various racial inequities that exist in the world
3) Beautiful, poetic language. (Okay, my professor wrote it.) More about the flow of the words than the actual plot, although what writer doesn’t want to look behind the scenes of a literary critic’s life?
Jennifer, these all look great, and I’m so glad you shared why you picked them. That will help us all as we choose our next read. I think my book club chose The Cuckoo’s Calling for 2014- now I’m especially glad we did! Thanks for sharing.
The Forgotten Garden
I’ve got this one sitting on my shelf… another book club recommended it. Thanks!
I have read TONS of books this year, but I can’t think of any that were actually published in 2013. I tend to get on a wait list at the library and then it seems to take a year (literally) before I get the “hot” new book. 🙂 For books published in 2013, I would say The Fault in Our Stars, which YOU told me about!
I’m glad you brought this up, Emily. It doesn’t have to be a book published this year- just one you enjoyed this year.
Ahh, good to know. In that case, I would say my favorite book was Stephen King’s 11/22/63.
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson (your oldest might like this one, Julia)
Thanks Crystal! I’ll have to look into that one!!
What a wonderful idea for a give-away. Thanks! My favorite read for 2013 was The Promise by Ann Weisgarber, a literary novel about the Galveston hurricane in 1900. The characterization is phenomenal and as a reader you really connect with, fear for and grieve with the characters. It was an emotional read that had me thinking about the events and characters long after I finished the book.
What a great contest! My fav book of 2013 is The Mother of All Meltdowns. Because I’m a contributor! And it’s a fun read for mamas from all walks of life. I also loved And the Mountains Echoed.
Of course you’d like The Mother of All Meltdowns! I hope everything is going well with that! My book club agreed to read And the Mountains Echoed in 2014- can’t wait. Thanks for contributing!